Rooster Gets Spurs Stuck in EVERYTHING!

[Anon112]

I love my sweet Poppy. He is a treasure and a delight. He also has the magical ability to get his spurs stuck in everything. Today was the third time that I have found him basically pinned in place because he got not one, but BOTH (how, Poppy, how?!) spurs stuck.

They get stuck in chicken wire (I use chicken wire internally in my run so that I have the options of making it two separate spaces), hardware cloth as small as 1/2 inch, and even the treadle on the treadle feeder. I will hear a thumping and a clanging and I know that he's wrestling with the treadle.

I want Poppy to have his spurs because he watches the hens when they free range and I want him to be able to defend them and himself from predators. I have no experience with an issue like this.

Poppy did have to have foot surgery back in April to remove an infected toe, so I know he might be walking a bit differently now. But he's been having this issue since before his surgery. I'm not sure if it's the length of the spurs that are the issue or the angle they're at, or some combination of these two factors.

Has anyone else dealt with this? Obviously my main concern is that he'll be trapped and pull and injure a leg/foot. Would it be best to try and trim them just a bit and see if that helps?

 

[User690263]

Can you share pictures?
It wouldn't hurt to trim them a little bit, many people use a Dremel or dog nail clippers.

 

[Anon112]

I'll try to snap some pictures when I go let them out this evening.

 

[Anon112]

The spur on the one leg is about an inch longer than the other. Obviously the second photo is the foot that had the toe amputated.

 

[dawg53]

You can use a Dremel tool with a grinding wheel to cut through the spurs. The heat from the grinding wheel cauterizes blood. I recommend cutting down 3/4 the length of the spur.

Tie the roosters feet together. Wrap a towel snuggly around the rooster with his feet sticking out the bottom of the towel. Use several clothespins to secure the towel from unravelling. Cover his head with a towel, loosely so he can breathe normally.
Then use the Dremel to cut off the spurs. Go slow and steady cutting through the spur. If he flinches, stop cutting for about 30 seconds, then continue cutting through the spur.
After you've cut off both spurs, wait a couple of minutes and apply Blu-cote onto both nubs. Wear disposable gloves when applying the Blu-cote.
Then release the rooster to go on his way.

 

[Anon112]

You can use a Dremel tool with a grinding wheel to cut through the spurs. The heat from the grinding wheel cauterizes blood. I recommend cutting down 3/4 the length of the spur.

Tie the roosters feet together. Wrap a towel snuggly around the rooster with his feet sticking out the bottom of the towel. Use several clothespins to secure the towel from unravelling. Cover his head with a towel, loosely so he can breathe normally.
Then use the Dremel to cut off the spurs. Go slow and steady cutting through the spur. If he flinches, stop cutting for about 30 seconds, then continue cutting through the spur.
After you've cut off both spurs, wait a couple of minutes and apply Blu-cote onto both nubs. Wear disposable gloves when applying the Blu-cote.
Then release the rooster to go on his way.

View attachment 4185756

Thank you!

I think I will recruit help (from the same lovely family member who will loan me the dremel!). Fortunately, Poppy has gotten really used to being handled due to all the care around his foot/toe.

From what I gather, it's a lot like cutting an animal's toenail, where there's a quick inside that you're mostly trying to avoid.

 

[User690263]

Thank you!

I think I will recruit help (from the same lovely family member who will loan me the dremel!). Fortunately, Poppy has gotten really used to being handled due to all the care around his foot/toe.

From what I gather, it's a lot like cutting an animal's toenail, where there's a quick inside that you're mostly trying to avoid.

Yep, spurs do have a quick, but as @dawg53 said, the heat from the Dremel will cauterize any blood vessels, which will stop any bleeding.

 

[Anon112]

Yep, spurs do have a quick, but as @dawg53 said, the heat from the Dremel will cauterize any blood vessels, which will stop any bleeding.

Thank you!

I've been reading different articles and, as with many medical questions, there is a wide range of opinions.

I want to help him avoid getting stuck, but I also don't want to do anything that will cause him pain or extreme distress. And I definitely don't want to do anything that would risk an infection, especially in that more vulnerable foot.

 

[User690263]

Thank you!

I've been reading different articles and, as with many medical questions, there is a wide range of opinions.

I want to help him avoid getting stuck, but I also don't want to do anything that will cause him pain or extreme distress. And I definitely don't want to do anything that would risk an infection, especially in that more vulnerable foot.

I think that the risk of infection after cutting a spur would be very minimal, if you're worried about it you could put blue-kote or a similar product on it.
In my opinion it's better to intentionally cut it rather than risk him accidentally ripping it off.
Of course, if you don't feel comfortable cutting it, there may be other options.

 

[Anon112]

In my opinion it's better to intentionally cut it rather than risk him accidentally ripping it off.
Of course, if you don't feel comfortable cutting it, there may be other options.

I definitely agree. I just want to make sure that whatever I do is safe for him.

The other half of this equation, of course, has been trying to reduce the number of things he can get stuck in.

I'm also curious to hear if there's anyone on here who had this same problem and if trimming the spurs helped.